This is the largest Mahogany Forest in East Africa, though the forest is always under threat by those looking for farm or grazing land, in recent years a real effort has been made to preserve this ecological jewel.
One of the main reason for conservation is the increasing numbers of tourist from whom the local community also benefits.
Budongo forest has the largest concentration of chimpanzees in East Africa and therefore offers great chimpanzee tracking expeditions to travelers.
Despite all its beauty, the forest reserve stands great chances of destruction due to the ongoing high level of human activities like commercial timber extraction, hunting, and human encroachment. At the Budongo ecosystem, minus chimpanzee tracking, lots of tourist activities can be enjoyed when at this site.
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience which is an all-day activity can be done here during off-season months Low season – 1st March – 15th June and 1st October – 15th December.
The Chimpanzee Habituation Experience is done with researchers and others – a process which takes up to two years. The Jane Goodall institute manages and oversees the Chimpanzees in Budongo Forest and has done so for many years.
Bird watching
Budongo forest reserve offers unique and exclusive experiences to birders and it’s greatly known for its bird biodiversity. It is the home to several bird species including those endemic to the Budongo forest the Puvel’s illadopses.
The half day Bird watching in Budongo forest reserve can be done either in the morning or afternoon depending on the visitor’s choice and takes about 3 hours, walking through the flat forest terrain. Forest guides are always available to provide you all the necessary help and information.
Alternatively, Budongo forest reserve offers exciting full day birding packages for those with big interest in nature and birding.
Tourists going for the full day birding exercise in Budongo forest are advised to carry along drinking water and packed lunch as it will be hard returning to the entrance for a meal.
During this exercise, visitors get a chance to spend long hours within the wild and able to view the bird species without any hurries.
Forest Walks
These worthwhile forest walks pass through East Africa’s last remaining mahogany forest. The largest specimens are 60m tall and 300 years old.
Black-and-white colobus monkeys and duiker are commonly seen. Guided walks cost US$15 for 2½ hours and US$20 for four hours.
wildlife can be seen here on Nature walks and Hikes since Budongo Forest is part of the Murchison Falls Wildlife Reserve and animals enter the park, some to live here, others visit and return to their regular habitat.
You can spot wildlife licking salt in in the forest clearings. Large mammals also wander into this part of park such as Elephants, Lions, Buffaloes and Leopards.
